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Once
a blighted no-man's land darkened by the intrusive Central Freeway,
Hayes Valley has fashioned quite a comeback since the road's demise.
Weakened by 1989's Loma Prieta earthquake, the freeway was torn
down; in its stead, a neighborhood rebloomed.
Artisans
and merchants settled in and opened shops and galleries. Restauranteurs,
attracted by Hayes Valley's tidy architecture and heart-of-the-city
location, opened bistros, grills, and cafes. Buzz grew in the 1990s,
but the neighborhood never lost its cool.
Today,
Hayes Valley is one of San Francisco's top shopping blocks, with
local artists and fashion designers, celebrated chefs, wine bars,
European shoes, and the most happening biannual block parties in
San Francisco.
Arts
& Culture
•
African Outlet: Packed with imported rugs, drapes, instruments,
jewelry, clothing, incense, creams, and much more from across Africa.
864-3576
•
Octavia's Haze: Glass art, some functional, all mesmerizing.
255-6818
•
Polanco: Mexican folk and fine arts, with masks, jewelry,
and ceramics. 252-5753
•
Velvet da Vinci: Art jewelry and metalwork gallery representing
50 crafters, local and global. A post-Loma Prieta pioneer, circa
1991. 626-7478
•
Volunteer Match: Local dot.org done very well: Pairing volunteer
workers with causes, with over a million referrals so far. 241-6868
•
Vorpal Gallery: Old-school North Beach gallery, famed early
M.C. Escher supporter. 397-9200.
Food
and Drink
•
Absinthe: Lively French-style brasserie with plush red tones,
stout cocktails, and savory American-mediterranean fare like Risotto
Milanese, and Coq au Vin. 551-1590
•
Cafe Della Stelle: Tuscan-flavored trattoria: pumpkin ravioli,
sea bass, tiramisu. 252-1110
•
Citizen Cake: Two words: dessert case, perhaps the finest
in town. 861-2228
•
Flippers: Multinational burger options and popular weekend
brunch courtyard. 552-8880
•
Frjtz: The fries's the thing: Belgian style, with assorted
dips (wasabi mayo, caper/onion ketchup), hidden courtyard, and six
Belgian beers on tap. 864-7654
•
Hayes and Vine: 500+ vintages at this swinging wine bar.
Cheeses, too. 626-5301
•
Hayes Street Grill: Hayes Valley's first restaurant, drawing
power-lunching politicos for fresh seafood since 1979.
•
Jardinaire: Award-winning French-California cuisine draws
festive pre-Opera, ballet crowd. 861-5555
•
Powell's Place: Choice soul food: yams, greens, smothered
ribs, top-rated fried chicken. 863-1404
•
Stelline: Homestyle Italian with housemade pastas, rich gnocchis
and scampis, cheat Chianti. Recently relocated across the street.
626-4292
•
Suppenkuche: Elbow up to international patrons along long
tables, quaffing German comfort food and biers. 252-9289
•
Terra Brazilis: South American tapas, downstairs Samba room.
241-1900
•
Vicolo: Build your own California-style pizzas and salads.
863-2382
Shopping
•
Amphora Wine: Local and imported vintages from across the
price spectrum. 863-1104
•
BPM Records: House and electronica CDs and vinyl. 487-8680
•
Champ de Mars: Francophiles rejoice amid vintage and retro
imports, French street signs, Parisian accountrements. 252-9434.
•
Flight 001: Hip travel gear that's surprisingly useful, and
reasonably priced, in a groovy space shaped like a retro 70s airliner.
487-1084
•
Pomp Home: Lifestyle accessories, from bed stands to kitchen
spoons. 864-1830
•
Psychic Eye: A San Francisco institution, Psychic Eye stocks
gear and supplies for all religions. Crystals, tarot cards, statues,
books, candles, more. 863-9997
•
Zeitgeist: Vintage watch and clock sales and services. 864-0185
Clothes
•
560 Hayes: Twentieth-Century vintage clothing, shoes, and
accessories. 861-7993
•
Alla Prima: Upscale lingerie and swimsuits. 864-8180
•
Dark Garden: Specializing in hand-made corsets and wedding
dresses. 431-7684
•
Gimme Shoes: Designer Italian shoes for men and women. 864-0691
•
Haseena: Up-and-coming local women's designers. 252-1104
•
Lava 9: Custom leather jackets, pants, bags, belts, etc.
552-6468
•
Nida: Helmut Lang, Marc Jacobs. 552-4670
•
Nomads: Men's clothing store, among best in town. 864-5692
–
Jay Cooke is a San Francisco-based travel, food, and culture writer.
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